Evaluation of Quality of Seedlings Raised under Agro-net Shade and Direct Sunlight

Abstract

Seedlings of Albizia procera, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Acacia catechu were produced in 150 cc and 200 cc root trainers kept under direct sunlight and agro-net shade. The observations on shoot height, collar diameter, root length, number of lateral roots, dry weight of shoot, root and total biomass were recorded after 3 and 5 months. Sturdiness quotient, root/ shoot ratio and Dickson's quality index were also worked out. The results reveal that plants under shade produce better growth and biomass parameters than under direct sunlight. Retaining the plants in the root trainers for 5 months also showed better shoot length and collar diameter. The sturdiness quotient, root/shoot ratio and quality index of plants having gestation period of 5 months was significantly better than of 3 months. The sturdiness quotient, root/shoot ratio and quality index of plants in 150 cc containers (5 months) was comparable and even better than plants raised in 200 cc containers (3 months). Considering the interaction between size of root trainers and gestation period, best treatment for better height, collar diameter, total biomass production, root/shoot ratio and Dickson's quality index was T₂ C₂ (200 cc root trainers under shade for 5 months duration) except for sturdiness quotient which was found best in T₁ C₁ (150 cc root trainers in direct sunlight for 5 months).